‘Tuhya Dharma Koncha?’- focuses on dilemma of Tribals
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Rating: ★★★ ½
Producer: Abhay Gadgil, Shrirang Godbole, Mohan Damle Director: Satish Manwar Music: Dattaprasad Ranade Cinematography: Parixit Warrier Cast: Upendra Limaye, Vibhavari Deshpande, Kishore Kadam, Suhas Palshikar, Suhas Shirsat, Gauri Konge, Ramesh Medhekar, Shashank Shende Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke |
God has no religion and therefore changing the God to offer prayers, does not change your religion. Latest released Marathi film ‘Tuhya Dharma Koncha?'(What is your religion?) tries to explain how poverty forces a poor family towards conversion to another religion and later goes on to show how the family has to face the ire from their own community. In fact, director Satish Manwar ( Gabhricha Paus fame) tries to explain the dilemma of tribals, who fall easy prey to opportunists and fanatics.
Set on the backdrop of a tiger sanctuary in Northern Maharashtra, the film revolves around a tribal family of Kavadu (Upendra Limaye) who lives in a small tribal colony with his wife Bhulabai (Vibhavari Deshpande) a small kid and a new born baby. One day, Kavadu is falsely implicated and put under trial for killing a tiger. In the absence of the bread earner in the family, Bhulabai becomes helpless when her new born baby needs immediate medical attention. She does visit the municipal dispensary at a nearby village; but can’t afford the costly food supplements prescribed. Later, when the child is seriously ill, on the suggestion of a lady from her tribe; she takes her son to a Father of a Christian missionary, who is a doctor. Indebted by the kind hearted Father and the Nun from the missionary, who offer her free treatment and food for her kid; Bhulabai regularly attends the mass at the church. She also gets converted into Christianity, only to face ire of local tribal community. Finally, Kavadu is declared innocent, as the real culprits are arrested. But, the a group of Hindu fanatics force Kavadu and few others from the village to get reconverted into Hinduism. Finally, Kavadu and his wife understand who their real God is, as they embrace a traditional tree in the last scene, to show their faith in Nature God.
The film does deal with a sensitive issue with utmost care, without hurting the sentiments of any religion. When the Father of the church (Kishore Kadam) tells the Nun (Sneha Majgaonkar) that he was not interested in keeping the count of number of conversions; but, would be happy to find even one such true devotee of his religion; it makes his selfless service very clear. At the same time, a Hindu priest, who is spreading the importance of his religion and showing his opposition to conversions; is himself shown against violence. It is only few of his devotees, lock him up and get involved into violent activities. As a result of their aggression, the poor tribal community is in a dilemma. The director has also shown the Naxalite movement in this region; and the reason for their taking up the arms. But, in the film’s screenplay, the director has shown them neutral, in the religious uproar. There is one possibility that some of the portion must have undergone cuts at the Censor’s table.
Director Satish Manwar has however presented his subject in a realistic manner. He has used the ahirani language very well throughout the film, which is a tribute to Bahinabai Chaudhary, whose all original poems were in this language. Cinematography by Parixit Warrier is simply superb. So is the suitable music score by Dattaprasad Ranade and background score by Augustine Samuel and the wonderful flute played by Navin Iyer from South. In the role of Kavadu, Upendra Limaye has given one more fabulous performance after ‘Jogwa’. Vibhavari Deshpande has supported him well, as a helpless wife. She has expressed herself very well at every situation through her eyes. In the role of Father of the church, Kishore Kadam is at his best. The dialogues are apt to every situation. The film does throw light on the existing situation in tribal region and shows how the Government’s apathy, enables external forces to exploit their poverty.
GABHRICHA PAUS REVIEW
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Rating: na
Company: Pacific Entertainment Producer: Prashant Madhusudhan Pethe Story, Director: Satish Manwar Lyricst: Dasu Cinematographer: Sudhir Palsane Music: Dattaprasad Ranade Editor: Suchitra Sathe Cast: Girish Kulkarni, Sonali Kulkarni, Jyoti Subash, Amar Attar, Veena Jamkar, Mukund Vasule, Madhukar Dhore, Rajesh More Movie Review by: Kashmira Pawaskar |
It is observed that the Rain brings the sweet smell of soil with its first showers, then it’s time to pour heavily in Ashadh; which is the actual monsoon month and then it sprays gradually during Shravan . These are the different faces of rains, which makes everyone crazy, be it a child, youth or elders. But, Rain adds a special significance to the dreams and happiness in farmer’s life, especially in Maharashtra. But, many farmers sometimes call it a ‘Damned Rain’ (Gabhricha Paus), when it pours more than required.
Incidentally, ‘Gabhricha Paus’ is the name of new marathi film released recently. Every movie has a hero and a villain and we generally witness a conflict between good and bad etc. But, this movie is totally different. It highlights only two things; the farmer and the rains. You may call it a black humour, which can be seen either in the books of late P.L. Deshpande or try to locate the same in a movie like ‘Bicycle Thief’.
Kisna (Girish Kulkarni) is a poor farmer from a village in Maharashtra, who like his counterparts is eagerly waiting for the rains, in his draught hit village which is known for suicides of farmers. The story of the film is very simple. It begins with a scene where Kisna’s farmer friend Bhaskar staying in the neighborhood, commits suicide, as he is unable to repay his loan. Kisna’s family comprising of his wife Alka (Sonali Kulkarni) , his mother(Jyoti Subhash) and son- Dinu( Aman Attar) get worried as they feel that even Kisna would attempt the same. They try there level best to keep him happy and with the screenplay filled with humorous situations the film goes on to show their lifestyle in a realistic manner
The efforts of writer-director Satish Manwar have to be appreciated, for using his skill to film such difficult and serious issues throughout the film, with a difference. The succeeding suicide of another farmer is shown with a different angle, where the surviving members of family struggle hard to claim the compensation, due to their poor condition and lack of awareness about the paper work. The small kid is shown happy collecting rupee coins thrown during the last rites before cremation. The movie doesn’t have any melodrama, as witnessed during suicides. Every frame of the film is a pleasure to watch for the wonderful cinematography by Sudhir Palsane. The background score has been cleverly used with movement of train and bus, showering of rains and with the use of FM Radio and TV etc.
In the film, the performance of the small innocent boy Dinu played by Amaan Attar is more appreciable. Girish Kulkarni and Sonali Kulkarni steal the show with their beautiful chemistry. Sonali has given full justice to her role but her make-up and costume does not go well with the character. Veena Jamkar’s performance is also very nice, as she expresses all emotions through her eyes.
The whole movie talks about ‘living under the fear of death of the near and dear ones’; which makes the audience think seriously about the grave existing situation faced by poor farmers. And, this is where the film maker delivers his message effectively. The climax is very beautifully crafted, which can place the movie at par with world cinema.